SpongeBob SquarePants (character)

SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants character
First appearance	"Help Wanted" SpongeBob SquarePants May 1, 1999
Created by	Stephen Hillenburg
Designed by	Stephen Hillenburg
Portrayed by	Ethan Slater (Broadway)
Voiced by	Tom Kenny[a]
In-universe information
Species	Sea sponge
Gender	Male
Occupation	Fry cook at the Krusty Krab
Relatives	Harold SquarePants (father) Margaret SquarePants (mother) Grandma SquarePants (grandmother) Stanley S. SquarePants (cousin) Blackjack SquarePants (second cousin)

SpongeBob SquarePants is the protagonist of the eponymous American animated television series. Voiced by Tom Kenny, he is characterized by his optimism and childlike attitude. SpongeBob is commonly seen hanging out with his friend Patrick Star, working at the Krusty Krab, with his neighbor Squidward, and attending Mrs. Puff's Boating School, while getting involved in zany hijinks along the way. SpongeBob also has a pet snail called Gary.

SpongeBob was created and designed by Stephen Hillenburg, an artist and marine science educator. The character's name is derived from "Bob the Sponge", the host of Hillenburg's unpublished educational book The Intertidal Zone. He drew the book while teaching marine biology to visitors of the Ocean Institute during the 1980s. Hillenburg began developing a show based on the premise shortly after the 1996 cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life, which Hillenburg directed. SpongeBob's first appearance was in the pilot, "Help Wanted", which premiered on May 1, 1999.

SpongeBob SquarePants has become popular among children and adults. The character has garnered a positive response from media critics and is frequently named as one of the greatest cartoon characters of all time.
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